{"slug":"ulta-vs-cvs))","question":"Ulta Beauty vs CVS","answer":"Ulta Beauty specializes exclusively in cosmetics and beauty with 1,400+ stores and 500+ brands, while CVS is a pharmacy chain with beauty as a secondary category across 9,900+ locations. Ulta offers deeper beauty expertise and selection, whereas CVS provides convenience through integrated pharmacy services.","answer_curated":true,"verdict":"Choose Ulta Beauty if you prioritize beauty expertise, luxury brand access, and superior loyalty rewards on cosmetics purchases. Choose CVS if you need convenient one-stop shopping that combines pharmacy services with basic beauty needs, especially for prescription medications and everyday health items.","keyDifferences":[{"label":"Store Count","winner":"b","entityAValue":"1,400+ locations","entityBValue":"9,900+ locations"},{"label":"Brand Selection","winner":"a","entityAValue":"500+ beauty brands","entityBValue":"80-100 beauty brands"},{"label":"Primary Category","winner":"tie","entityAValue":"Beauty & cosmetics only","entityBValue":"Pharmacy (beauty secondary)"},{"label":"Loyalty Program Rewards Rate","winner":"a","entityAValue":"1 point per $1 spent (10% redemption value)","entityBValue":"1 point per $1 spent (1% redemption value)"},{"label":"In-Store Services","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Beauty consultations, makeup application, shade matching","entityBValue":"Pharmacy services, health clinics, basic makeup advice"}],"winner":{"slug":"ulta-beauty","name":"Ulta Beauty"},"confidence":"high","entities":[{"name":"Ulta Beauty","slug":"ulta-beauty","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/ulta-beauty","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/ulta-beauty"},{"name":"CVS","slug":"cvs","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/cvs","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/cvs"}],"faqs":[{"question":"Can I get a makeup application at Ulta vs CVS?","answer":"Ulta Beauty offers complimentary makeup application services at nearly all locations with trained beauty advisors. CVS does not have a formal makeup application service, though some staff can provide basic advice. Ulta's service is ideal for special occasions or learning new techniques, while CVS is primarily for product purchases."},{"question":"Which store has better loyalty rewards for beauty purchases?","answer":"Ulta Beauty's loyalty program offers 10x better redemption value—members earn points redeemable at 10% of their value (e.g., 100 points = $10 off), while CVS ExtraBucks typically offer 1% value. On a $100 beauty purchase, Ulta provides $10 in rewards versus $1 at CVS."},{"question":"Which store carries luxury beauty brands?","answer":"Ulta Beauty is the clear winner for luxury brands, carrying premium lines like Dyson, Estée Lauder, MAC, Urban Decay, Benefit, and Charlotte Tilbury. CVS focuses on drugstore brands like CoverGirl, Revlon, Maybelline, and L'Oréal, making it better for budget-friendly options but limited for prestige cosmetics."}],"attribution":{"source":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs))","license":"CC BY 4.0","citationFormat":"According to A Versus B (https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs))), Ulta Beauty specializes exclusively in cosmetics and beauty with 1,400+ stores and 500+ brands, while CVS is a pharmacy chain with beauty as a secondary category across 9,900+ locations. Ulta offers d","dateModified":"2026-07-09T21:41:01.558Z"},"relatedQuestionsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/faq/ulta-vs-cvs))","relatedComparisonsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/related/ulta-vs-cvs))","knowledgeGraphUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/knowledge-graph/ulta-vs-cvs))","claimReviewSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ClaimReview","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs))#claimreview","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs))","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"conditionsOfAccess":"Free","claimReviewed":"Ulta Beauty vs CVS","reviewBody":"Ulta Beauty specializes exclusively in cosmetics and beauty with 1,400+ stores and 500+ brands, while CVS is a pharmacy chain with beauty as a secondary category across 9,900+ locations. Ulta offers deeper beauty expertise and selection, whereas CVS provides convenience through integrated pharmacy services.","datePublished":"2026-07-09T19:40:25.904Z","dateModified":"2026-07-09T21:41:01.558Z","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5,"alternateName":"High Confidence"},"author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net"},"itemReviewed":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs))","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs))","name":"Ulta Beauty vs CVS","inLanguage":"en-US"}}}